Hoboken’s storefronts don’t seem to stay vacate for long these days and some of them will soon be filled with a wide variety of new establishments, along with the return of an old favorite.
One of the more unique new business launching in Hoboken will be Shaka Bowl at 720 Monroe Street in the Monroe Center’s recently renovated second building. The restaurant will serve many types of Hawaiian fare including traditional Acai Bowls. Also available will be Poke Bowls, which contain cubed varieties of seasoned raw fish served over healthy vegetables and other grains. Apparently they’re all the rage right now.
In addition to those heartier meals, Shaka Bowl will also serve several varieties of Hawaiian coffees along with Hawaiian-inspired smoothies, pops and juices. They will also sell treats they dub “energy jars” that come in flavors like Salted Carmel Pretzel, Blue Ribbon Brownie and Triple Chocolate Meltdown.
The business, which has a grand opening date set for September 17th, is the brainchild of co-founders Kiersten and Krista, who met when they studied together on the Big Island of Hawaii. They fell in love with the food culture of the island so much, they decided to bring it back to the mainland with them and open a store of their own.
Across town at 527 Washington Street, a business called I Chu U Inc. has put in an application with the Planning Board to convert the storefront previously home to Boost Mobile into a “quick serve Crepe restaurant.” Little is known about the business beyond that, but Queens-based King’s USA Group will oversee the space’s build-out.
Just south, 504 Washington Street, formerly home to an insurance agency, will have a new hair salon in its place. And a new Engel & Völkers real estate office opened up recently at 407 Washington Street.
But back to Hoboken’s food scene. Work is starting to finish up at Urban Coalhouse, which will serve coal-fired pizzas and other Italian fare at the former Puerto Spain location. A franchise with other locations in Brick, Red Bank and Paramus, the restaurant will also sport a full bar. General Partner Matt Lombardi says the company’s location at 116 14th Street should be opening up sometime next week.
Elsewhere, Grubbs Take-Away will soon be opening up at the old Subway location at 418 Washington Street. The classic American take-out joint will sell burgers, hot dogs, subs, wings, wraps and more, also serving up breakfast sandwiches in the morning. It will be the store’s second location, their first being on Broad Avenue in Leonia.
One of Hoboken’s newest bars is actually a revamp of an old bar. Village Pourhouse at 155 1st Street had closed down in 2015 to make way for Little Town Social, an establishment owned by ‘Real Housewives’ cast members Albie and Chris Manzo. But about a year later, Little Town Social is history and the Pourhouse will be coming back to the Mile Square after a short renovation is complete, just in time for football season in September.
And finally, there’s an update on the upcoming Insomnia Cookies outpost at 56 Newark Street. Marking Manager Catharine Gatlin says the East Village cookie spot, which will have late-night hours until 3AM, should be up and running very soon.
